There’s nothing quite like the Oscars to make us wish that adult proms were a thing. There’s just so much elegant beauty inspo to gain from watching the 2026 Oscars that it’s a shame we don’t all have our own “biggest night in [your town here]” to recreate it.
That being said, there’s really no reason not to take the best hair, makeup and nail looks seen on the Academy Awards red carpet and incorporate them into everyday life. Why wait for a wedding when you can emulate Emma Stone’s hair for a Monday all-hands meeting? Or take a photo of Teyana Taylor’s nails to the salon for your very next manicure?
We’re rounding up the most stunning looks of the 2026 Oscars, otherwise known as the most anticipated event of award season and the pinnacle of red carpet glamour. If you can’t find your ultimate adult prom dream glam – or just an idea for date night – here, you can’t find it anywhere.
Wunmi Mosaku
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Sinners, Glamour cover star Wunmi Mosaku appeared on the 2026 Oscars red carpet in a shimmering emerald gown by Louis Vuitton that was paired with a pop of green eyeshadow by makeup artist Uzo. Showcasing another signature sculptural hair look – this time created by hairstylist Araxi Lindsey – the inspiration came from coral reefs. “Our goal was to celebrate Afro textured hair in a historic memorable style,” Araxi shared on Instagram. “The colour and hand stitched sequin of Wumni’s LV custom gown instantly reminded me of glimmers from the suns reflection in an ocean which birthed the idea of creating coral reefs.” Using Shea Moisture Instant Scalp Refresh before blowdrying, each braid was smoothed using Shea Moisture Kalahari Melon Oil Curl Stretch Cream and finished with Shea Moisture Smooth and Shine Oil.
Odessa A’Zion
It’s safe to say that we cannot get enough of Odessa A’Zion on the red carpet at the the moment. Even better, when you learn that the I Love LA and Marty Supreme star styles and glams herself – a refreshing approach. As always, Odessa’s curls were sitting pretty and the actress finally revealed her fave products for creating the enviable style. A host of products from Oribe, including Gold Lust Hair Oil and Dry Shampoo – you’re welcome.
Emma Stone
The only thing more luminous than Emma Stone’s sparkling, platinum Louis Vuitton gown is her matching shimmery eyeshadow. Topped off with lush lashes, her eyes are arguably the focal point of the seven-time nominee’s makeup look, though we have to shout out her peachy-pink lips and cheeks. And it seems Stone's side-parted hair may be on its way out of bob territory and into the lob zone, its flippy ends reaching well past the standard chin-length look. Mara Roszak used the ghd Chronos Curve Grand Tong to add some bends and worked a small amount of her Röz Evergreen Styling Cream through the ends to refine the shape and add soft definition.
Teyana Taylor
No matter how her night turns out award-wise, Teyana Taylor has definitely won the status of the queen of graphic eyeliner. She has made it her signature look throughout the season, and we'll never get enough of those exaggerated inner corners and winged out outer edges. “To create Teyana’s eye look, I applied Chanel Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer in Noir Black to define the eyes,” says makeup artist Yeika Glow. “Then, I applied Chanel Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in Spices to add depth, shape, and softness, while keeping her natural look intact.” She went the signature route with her pixie, too. Hairstylist Nikki Nelms used the Dyson Supersonic r Professional Hair Dryer to refine the shape finishing the look with a double shot of hairspray: OGX Flexible Hold Hairspray and Strong Hold Hairspray. A fan of nail art, Taylor went a little more subtle for her first Oscar nomination night, with an icy white look that picks up elements of her feathery dress.
Elle Fanning
It's not every Oscars that you see an A-list nominee wearing a no-makeup makeup look with a princess gown, but Elle Fanning is fully, joyfully pulling it off. She's wearing the lightest layer of mascara – if any at all – with a hint of shimmer on her lips and a wash of sheer pink on her cheeks. You can actually see her skin, freckles included, which aesthetician Louise Deschamps treated with the Pure Daily Care NuDerma High Frequency Wand in preparation for this big career milestone.
Renate Reinsve
Sentimental Value actress Renate Reinsve kept things red hot on the red carpet, with a sexy high-slit Louis Vuitton dress with matching shoes. Unsurprisingly, her beauty look was similarly hued with a matching red lipstick courtesy of makeup artist Emily Cheng. Meanwhile, the rest of her look was kept minimal, a sleek, high-shine low pony was crafted by hairstylist Jenny Cho using Nexxus and on-trend minimal mani by Emi Kudo.
Rose Byrne
Best Actress nominee Rose Byrne could not have looked like more of a classic beauty. A simple yet elegant updo swept cleanly into a low knot topped off a timeless makeup look: Dior Rouge Dior in #846 Concorde Velvet Finish as the centrepiece, supported by a wash of grey eye shadow from Diorshow 5 Couleurs in #073 Pied-de-Poule, and sweet, rosy cheeks.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman's hair is the epitome of wearable volume. Her long, loose waves practically hover above her head as if there's no gravity in its atmosphere. Hairstylist Adir Abergel used his Virtue Volumizing Primer on the roots. Once dry, he smoothed out her hair using a Denman Head Hugger Brush for a tousled blowout, followed by adding Bellami 18-inch Silk-Seam Clip-Ins in Dirty Blonde and Golden Hour Blonde, as well as 18-inch Tape-Ins in Golden Amber Blonde. Finally, he used the WavyTalk Cool Curl Pencil to put in natural bends.
Chase Infiniti
One Battle After Another star Chase Infiniti is a pastel vision in her lilac gown, which is echoed on her eyelids with a shimmery, pale purple shade. The rest of her makeup, which makeup artist Amber Dreadon prepped with Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, feels especially fresh with gleaming, pink lips and matching cheeks. Her super-long hair, made all the more romantic with little braids and loose ends, is such a mermaid moment. Hairstylist Coree Moreno used Briogeo Style + Treat™ Yuzu + Plum Oil Light Work Sculpting Crème along the braids and hairline to smooth flyaways and sculpt without weighing her hair down, smoothing the Arachne SmoothBoost Brush lightly over the finished style. “I wanted the braids to feel intentional and architectural while the length stayed soft and fluid,” Moreno says. “It’s about creating a balance between control and freedom so the hair moves beautifully while still holding its shape.”
Audrey Nuna
Sure, nail art is cool, but how about nail sculptures? Kpop Demon Hunters’ Audrey Nuna wore show-stealing golden nails with gold metal balls atop and underneath each one created by nail artist Marielle Co. Her makeup look is one of her softest of the season, with touches of mauve on her lips and cheeks, and wisps of her hairline gently placed on her glowing skin.
Charithra Chandran
Bridgerton breakout star Charithra Chandran’s updo feels simultaneously fully formal and casual thanks to a balance of sleekness and ease. The no-hair-out-of-place centre part pulls back into a pretty knot that ends with an everyday vibe thanks to her ends left loose at the nape of her neck. Chandran’s skin, prepped by Joanna Czech with the Swiss Perfection collection, served as a flawless canvas for her makeup, composed of gorgeous shades of honey and brown that work with absolutely anything – but especially her gorgeous, green gown.
Barbie Ferreira
Hi Barbie! Barbie Ferreira brought the Old Hollywood glam with her long, deeply side-parted waves. Clayton Hawkins started by applying Amika Plus Size Perfect Body Mousse to her damp hair. “Once the hair was blown out, I added a couple rows of Donna Bella clip-in extensions in a mix of 5N and 3N for volume and texture memory,” he says. He then curled it with a combination of a 1.25-inch iron and an old-school roller set. Her makeup, on the other hand, is entirely modern with a lightly smoky eye, nude-pink lips, and the wispiest, fluttery lashes imaginable. She also wore one of the biggest nail trends of the last few years: simple, milky beige.
Lea Myren
The Ugly Stepsister star Lea Myren looked like anything but on her first Oscars red carpet, serving an incredible makeup and hair look we'll be trying to copy countless times. Her makeup artist wasn’t shy with the eyeshadow, also fully lining her blue eyes in a black pencil. But the standout detail is truly the long lashes on the bottom outer corner. That wispiness is reiterated in her updo’s loose ends atop her head, which hosts a knot that comes together with a curtain-like swoop on either side of her middle part.
Danielle Brooks
Danielle Brooks brought full-blown goddess energy to the red carpet with her ‘90s supermodel hair, full of volume and oomph-y, loose curls, which framed her matte-yet-glowing skin. The neutral tones of her makeup paired perfectly with her pale, champagne gown, and her oodles of diamonds feel completed by her jewellery-like nail art.
A version of this article was originally published on Allure.
